CN110234872A - The system of acoustic navigation for drilling - Google Patents

Abstract

The method for generating the drilling for generating geothermal energy or other purposes includes forming the drilling by making bullet accelerate to contact with geological materials.Interaction between the bullet and the geological materials generates acoustical signal, the vibration in such as stratum, and the acoustical signal is detected using the sonic transducer along drilling conductor, at surface or in independent drilling.The characteristic of the geological materials, such as presence in hardness, porosity or crack can be determined based on the characteristic of the acoustical signal.The direction that the drilling extends can be modified based on the characteristic of the geological materials, such as to generate the drilling intersected with one or more cracks, for generating geothermal energy.

Description

The system of acoustic navigation for drilling

Priority

Entitled " system (the System of the acoustic navigation for drilling that patent application claims are submitted on January 15th, 2018 For Acoustic Navigation Of Boreholes) " Application Serial No. 15/871,824 U.S. Patent application The priority of (file number 834-7011).It submitted January 17 within patent application claims 2017 entitled " for generating underground heat The Application Serial No. 62/447,350 of the system (System for Generating Geothermal Energy) of energy " The priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application (file number 834-6011).Present patent application also requires on January 25th, 2017 to submit The Shen of entitled " system (Systems for Thermal Generation of Energy) being thermally generated for energy " Please Serial No. 62/450,529 U.S. Provisional Patent Application (file number 834-6012) priority.Application 62/447,350 It is incorporated herein in a manner of being cited in full text with application 62/450,529.

It is incorporated by reference into

Except above by the application 15/871,824,62/447,350 and 62/450,529 being incorporated by, below U.S. Patent application is also incorporated by reference, they include:

The U.S. of entitled " underground outdrill (the Down-Hole Hyperdrill) " that submits on November 13rd, 2015 is interim Patent application 62/255,161.

The beauty of entitled " ram accelerator system (the Ram Accelerator System) " that submits on March 15th, 2013 State's patent application 13/841,236 (file number 834-7001).

Entitled " ram accelerator system (the Ram Accelerator System's) " submitted on October 12nd, 2016 U.S. provisional patent application 15/292,011 (file number 834-7001DIV1).

Entitled " ram accelerator system (the Ram Accelerator with end cap submitted on May 13rd, 2014 System with Endcap) " U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/992,830 (file number 834-6005).

Entitled " ram accelerator system (the Ram Accelerator with end cap submitted on May 11st, 2015 System with Endcap) " U.S. Provisional Patent Application 14/708,932, now be 9,458,670 (file number of United States Patent (USP) 834-7005)。

Entitled " ram accelerator system (the Ram Accelerator with end cap submitted on August 24th, 2016 System with Endcap) " U.S. provisional patent application 15/246,414 (file number 834-7005DIV1).

Entitled " ram accelerator system (the Ram Accelerator with common rail pipe submitted on October 23rd, 2014 System with Rail Tube) " U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/067,923 (file number 834-6006).

Entitled " ram accelerator system (the Ram Accelerator with common rail pipe submitted on October 21st, 2015 System with Rail Tube) " U.S. Patent application 14/919,657 (file number 834-7006).

Entitled " ram accelerator system (the Ram Accelerator with baffle submitted on April 21st, 2015 System with Baffles) " U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/150,836 (file number 834-6007).

Entitled " ram accelerator system (the Ram Accelerator with baffle submitted on April 21st, 2016 System with Baffles) " U.S. Patent application 15/135,452 (file number 834-7007).

Entitled " ram accelerator system (the Pressurized Ram of pressurization submitted on November 10th, 2015 Accelerator System) " U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/253,228 (file number 834-6008).

Entitled " bullet-shot drilling system (the Projectile Drilling System's) " submitted on November 1st, 2016 U.S. Patent application 15/340,753 (file number 834-7008).

That submits on September 12nd, 2016 is entitled " using the enhancing well system (Augmented of ram accelerator component Drilling System Using Ram Accelerator Assembly) " U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/393,631 (file number 834-7009).

The beauty of entitled " enhancing well system (Augmented Drilling System) " submitted on September 7th, 2017 State's patent application 15/698,549 (file number 834-7009).

That submits on November 10th, 2016 is entitled " for using bullet to generate system (the System in hole Generating a Hole Using Projectiles) " (the file number 834- of U.S. Patent application 15/348,796 7010)。

Background technique

Such as forming the traditional drilling well of those of well for generating hydrocarbon, water or geothermal energy and method for digging Hole is formed using drill bit is middle at the earth's surface.Conventional drilling method expensive, material intensive and may expend the time, to need Remove geological materials and by linear foot from several minutes to a few hours or a couple of days time not etc. come the depth of expanded hole, specifically Depending on by the area of section and characteristic of mobile material.Additionally, conventional borehole towards geologic feature active position and lead Boat may be limited to using the signal from surface or the feature that can be readily detected by the use device in drill string.

Detailed description of the invention

Certain embodiments and embodiment are described more fully below with reference to the drawings, are shown in the attached drawings Various aspects.However, various aspects can be implemented and should not be construed as limited to explain herein with many different forms The embodiment stated.Attached drawing is not necessarily to scale, and for ease of description rather than by limitation, may have modified institute The relative scale of the object of instruction.Identical number refers to identical element always.

Fig. 1 is depicted for using the acoustical signal generated by the interaction between bullet and geological materials and is determined The embodiment of the system of the characteristic on stratum.

Fig. 2 shows for being interacted by the stratum before ACCELERATING PROJECTILE and drill bit come the formation brill in geological materials The first part of the method in hole.

Fig. 3 shows for being interacted by the stratum before ACCELERATING PROJECTILE and drill bit and is formed and bored in geological materials The second part of the method in hole.

Fig. 4 shows for being interacted by the stratum before ACCELERATING PROJECTILE and drill bit and is formed and bored in geological materials The Part III of the method in hole.

Fig. 5 depicts the embodiment of the system for using drilling to generate geothermal energy.

Fig. 6 depicts the reality of the system for generating geothermal energy using drilling and recycling fluid in subsurface environment Apply mode.

Fig. 7 is the diagram for describing the embodiment for the conduit for being configured to accommodate thermoelectric element.

Fig. 8 is to show for using the data determined from acoustical signal to generate the flow chart of the method for drilling.

Fig. 9 is the process shown for the method for drilling to be constrained and generated from the determining data of acoustical signal based on user Figure.

Specific embodiment

Conventional drilling and digging technology for penetrable material often rely on working face cut or be ground Mechanical drill.Tool wear associated with mechanical drill and rupture may slow down these operations, to increase cost.This Outside, the low progress when cutting through the anti-friction materials such as hard rock may lead to expense mistake because of required time and cost It is high.Additionally, the environment of conventional drilling technologies influences possible apparent.For example, conventional drilling technologies may need largely to supply Water, this may be not readily available in some areas.Therefore, resource exploitation may extremely expensive, time-consuming or the two.Across geography Strata drilling can be used for establishing well, oil well, gas well, underground piping, geothermal well etc..

For example, can have the temperature being significantly higher than at earth surface up to geo-logical terrain by that will pierce in earth surface The depth of degree generates geothermal energy.Rock or drilling in other geological materials environment temperature based on the depth of drilling form than Example ground increases.Heat from geological materials can be such as transmitted to and providing cold fluid into drilling for generating energy Surface fluid is then returned into surface wherein the heat from stratum is transferred to fluid.For example, can be to the first drilling Then middle offer fluid cycles through the second drilling for being connected to the first drilling outward.As another example, it can be bored to single The first drill string or annular space in hole provide fluid, then cycle through the second drill string or annular space outward.In other embodiments, Thermoelectric material can be provided into the middle drilling formed at the earth's surface.Electric power can be generated in thermoelectric material, such as when being exposed to Electric current is generated when temperature gradient.In order to generate temperature gradient, the fluid colder than geological materials around can be injected into drilling, Such as in pipe, pipeline or other kinds of conduit, then towards surface circulation.The ground material outside ratio conduit in conduit Expect that cold fluid generates temperature gradient, the temperature gradient can cause thermoelectric material associated with conduit to generate electric current.With In the entitled " use that a kind of example system using the geothermal energy from abandoned well and gas well was submitted on January 21st, 2009 In closed loop system (the System for Closed-Look Large Scale Geothermal that thermal energy acquires on a large scale Energy Harvesting) " U.S. Patent Application Publication 2010/0180593 in describe, in a manner of being cited in full text simultaneously Enter herein.

It is uneconomic for being formed in many cases, and extending to the drilling for the depth for being enough to generate a large amount of geothermal energies.For example, A large amount of time, equipment and material may be needed by forming drilling, may cause significant cost, and there may be significant rings Border influences.Although demand sustainable growth of the mankind to the energy, the value for the geothermal energy that can be obtained out of drilling may not support Disappear for the significant cost for forming drilling.However, geothermal energy advantageously without with solar energy, wind energy, HYDROELECTRIC ENERGY or other can The mode that the renewable sources of energy may be affected is by geographical location or climatic effect.Additionally, geothermal energy is not limited or is drawn by supply Play significant environment shadow usually associated with the non-renewable energy based on hydrocarbon such as coal, oil and natural gas It rings.The naturally radioactive decay of earth interior is usually consistent on all geographical locations, and provides generated heat 85% to 95%, wherein the after-heat of planet be from planet formed and accelerate latent energy.

It describes the method and system for effectively generating the drilling for generating geothermal energy in the disclosure, the method and is System can be more economical with the conventional method of Billy's geothermal energy.Embodiment may include scalable closed-loop system, wherein to being The working fluid provided in system will not contact geological materials, and can not require the use of fracturing technique (for example, " waterpower pressure Split ").In other embodiments, it can be used to improve the recycling of geothermal energy to the artificial or natural volume increase of geo-logical terrain.

In some embodiments, can at least partially through use the bullet of acceleration at the earth's surface in formed and bore Hole.For example, previously U.S. Patent application 15/340,753 and 15/698,549 incorporated by reference describes system and side Method, wherein the progress for promoting rotary drilling-head can be entered in the geological materials before drill bit by ACCELERATING PROJECTILE.The bullet of acceleration Ball can be moved through by using movement of pressurised material, combustible material, drilling fluid or other materials etc. drill string or its The conduit of his type.In some embodiments, the drilling conductor for forming drilling may include continuously manage, thus with benefit When being compared with the other technologies of other kinds of drilling conductor, drilling well infrastructure on ground needed for forming drilling is reduced.Example Such as, the bottomhole component (BHA) for being configured to accelerate bullet is such as described about U.S. Patent application 15/340,753 BHA, and a Duan Lian can be fixed to the drill bit in one or more apertures that the bullet for being configured to permit to accelerate passes through The end of continuous pipe.After contacting with geological materials, the bullet of acceleration can make at least part of material shift and make material At least part reduction with facilitate drill bit make reduction dislodgment ability.In some embodiments, in order to avoid The needs of bullet are provided into a string of the continuous pipes that there may be limiting diameter, mud or other kinds of fluid shape can be used At bullet, such as drilling fluid, uncured concrete, baryte etc..For receiving the appearance of mud or other fluids Device can be positioned at underground, once and packing material, container can accelerate to hit geological materials.In some embodiments In, it may include resin or other curable materials for receiving the container of material, other described curable materials can be in well It is lower to be provided as liquid, then such as solidified by using ultraviolet light, chemicals or other kinds of energy.

In some cases, the bullet accelerated using ram accelerator component can be used to drill to be formed.For example, previously U.S. Patent application 62/253,228 incorporated by reference；13/841,236；15/292,011；61/922,830；14/ 708,932；15/246,414；62/067,923；14/919,657；62/150,836；It describes to use with 15/135,452 and add The bullet of speed forms hole in a variety of materials.In other embodiments, can by using ignition material at least partly Drilling is formed at the earth's surface, in some cases, the material of the ignition can be used for promoting the progress of drill bit.For example, Previous U.S. Patent application 15/348,796 incorporated by reference describes system and the side for using bullet to generate hole Method, in some embodiments, the bullet include that can ignite material.

Forming drilling using the bullet of acceleration can permit to be less than the time of conventional drilling technologies and at original formation brill Hole simultaneously extend to be suitable for generate geothermal energy significant depth, this can cause in subsurface environment generate geothermal energy become through Ji.In some embodiments described in such as previous U.S. Patent application 15/698,549 incorporated by reference, drilling The direction controlling that the direction of extension can at least partly be accelerated by bullet relative to the longitudinal axis of drill string, drill bit or BHA.It bores The direction that hole extends can be based at least partially on the position of geologic feature for being suitable for generating geothermal energy and be selected.

For example, detectable sound can be generated at least part of the interaction between the bullet and geo-logical terrain that accelerate The vibration that signal, such as rum point by stratum between bullet and stratum conduct outward.These acoustical signals can be used One or more biographies at earth surface, in drill string or in other drillings near the drilling extended using the bullet accelerated Sensor detects.It is placed in one section of fiber optic cables in drilling for example, sensor can be positioned at.It, can by handling acoustical signal To determine the characteristic on stratum that acoustical signal travels across.The characteristic on stratum may be used to determine the position for being suitable for generating geothermal energy It sets.For example, can analyze acoustical signal with the determining geological materials in the depth with the temperature for being suitable for generating geothermal energy The position of the intrinsic fracture of hardness and porosity and geo-logical terrain.Acoustical signal can be used to advisably manipulation generation brill as a result, The direction in hole is to optimize the rate that drilling extends, such as by manipulation drill bit far from hard stone or towards more porously Material.Additionally, acoustical signal can be used to make to drill to upwardly extend in the side that can more effectively generate thermal energy, such as pass through Drill bit is manipulated towards the region in the stratum including intrinsic fracture.At least can increase can for the presence of the intrinsic fracture of threshold size Amount with the natural heat extracted from stratum.Additionally, in some cases, hydraulic fracturing can be improved in the presence of intrinsic fracture Or the efficiency of other stimulation jobs, to extend or widen existing crack or increase the quantity in existing crack.Based on day The right position in crack or other desired characteristics of geological materials can navigate drilling towards selected position, such as by making The technology described in U.S. Patent application 15/698,549.

In some embodiments, the characteristic on the stratum determined using acoustical signal, which may be used to determine, can be used for optimizing brill The formation in hole and the characteristic for forming the bullet in direction of drilling, drill bit, combustible material, explosive material etc..For example, being configured to The bullet for accelerating material towards the feature detected in a lateral direction is attached in the position with intrinsic fracture in drill bit It is used when close, so that crack can be enhanced in the interaction between the material accelerated and stratum.Increasing to the region for including crack Can extend or widen by force existing crack, generate additional crack in the earth formation etc..

Additional acoustical signal can be generated in continuous interaction each of between bullet and stratum, and the acoustical signal can be used To further determine that the characteristic on stratum when drilling and extending.Additionally, in drilling mud or other fluids when the circulation in drilling, The temperature for being recycled to the fluid on surface can be measured to determine the potentiality for generating geothermal energy at the current depth of drilling.In addition, In addition to use acoustical signal manipulate drilling extend direction other than, acoustical signal may be used to determine the other component of drill bit or drill string Position.For example, characteristic, bullet based on the acoustical signal generated by the interaction between stratum and the bullet of acceleration are accelerated Time, time of acoustical signal etc. received by specific sonic transducer, the other parts of drill bit or drill string can be determined on ground Position in ball.Positioned using acoustical signal drill bit can be used for placing measurement while drilling (MWD) equipment or BHA used in it is similar Location equipment, to reduce complexity associated with drill-well operation, cost and weight.

It, can be by being provided into drilling after having reached the depth for being suitable for effectively or economically generating geothermal energy The temperature fluid colder than stratum shifts the heat from geo-logical terrain towards surface.In drilling, stratum can add fluid Heat, and the fluid heated may loop to surface, and wherein heat can be used for generating electric energy.In some cases, fluid can To be recycled in one or more drillings, and left from one or more different drillings.For example, multiple drillings can pass through Lateral wellbore technology is attached by using the existing intrinsic fracture in stratum.In other cases, fluid can recycle Enter and leave same drilling.For example, drilling may include inner catheter, such as one section continuous pipe, another type of drilling conductor, Or it can be in the rear independent conduit provided into drilling for removing continuous pipe drilling conductor.Drilling can also be included in ground material The outer catheter of barrier, such as casing, to limit annular space are provided between material and drilling.Temperature can be provided into inner catheter compare geology The cold fluid of material.Fluid can the lower end in inner catheter or other one or more openings by being formed in inner catheter Inner catheter is left, to enter annular space and towards surface flow.In other embodiments, fluid can flow in annular space and pass through Inner catheter is fetched again.It may include multiple conduits in other other embodiments, in drilling, wherein one or more are led Pipe may be used in fluid inflow drilling and wherein one or more conduits may be used to fluid towards surface flow.

In some embodiments, outer catheter can be used and form drilling, while can will have smaller than outer catheter diameter Inner catheter insertion outer catheter in and be fixed to calibration (counter) conduit, such as by using extrusion, welding or one or Multiple plugs.Then inner catheter can be used to provide cement or other complete well materials into drilling, enable to and drilling It is formed simultaneously or the time closely executes the complete well of drilling (for example, have cement bushing).

In some embodiments, electric power (such as electric current) can be generated in drilling to be transferred to surface.For example, all As the thermoelectric material of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy switch element can at least part along the outside of inner catheter, outer catheter Inside at least part or positioned on both inner catheter and outer catheter.Thermoelectric material is placed on inner catheter and led outside It can contribute to generate on top of the pyroelectric material (such as along the inside of the outer catheter close to geological materials) in annular space between pipe Thermal gradient.For example, can be with proximity thermal based on the geological materials that the depth of drilling can have raising temperature compared with earth surface First side of electric material, and the positioned internal to drill is in second side of thermoelectric material.Therefore, fluid can neighbouring cocurrent overheat Second side of electric material, so that the warmer geological materials of the first side positioning of neighbouring thermoelectric material be combined to generate thermal gradient.One In a little situations, continuous pipe unit can provide the double duty that pipe is used for inner tube (cold water) complete well.In some embodiments, BHA can have thermoelectric element, electrical connection and what is be attached when in use fluidly connect, and is enable to complete in a single step At drilling and well completion.For example, single hole can be drilled out, enable in the case where not needing the repetition stroke of well-completing process Complete well.In some embodiments, the characteristic on the stratum determined by using acoustical signal can be used to determine that drilling well is led in real time Amount, placement and the type of thermoelectric element in pipe or at surface, they, which can optimize using drilling, generates thermal energy.

In some embodiments, external annular space can reside in geological materials and drilling in outer catheter outside it Between.For example, previous U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/393,631 incorporated by reference and U.S. Patent application 15/698, 549 describe by allow on the not parallel direction of the longitudinal axis relative to drill bit bullet accelerate and manipulate drill bit and The method that can control the shape of drilling.The selectivity of bullet in particular directions accelerates to be used to the region of different-diameter Drilling, the region that such as diameter is greater than the diameter of casing are provided.Additionally, the orientation use of bullet can be enabled to having The region of unique cross sectional shape (such as hexagonal configuration) provides drilling.External annular space is formed between outer catheter and geological materials In the case of, fluid or other materials in external annular space can be warmer than the fluid provided into inner catheter.In some embodiment party In formula, it is aerial that plug, valve, sealing element or other kinds of closure elements can be positioned at external rings, with prevent warm fluid or its His material is via external annular space from subsurface environment towards surface circulation.It places closure elements or is set using one or more undergrounds Standby (such as pump or turbine) can enable fluid or other materials in external rings sky to recycle, to be distributed and maintain close The heat of the outside of outer catheter.The heat direction of the acceptable low portion self-drilling in the future of the circulation of the aerial fluid of external rings Upper part transfer.

Embodiment described herein can also include the drilling formed based on user's input for generating geothermal energy Method.For example, the user of access application or other kinds of user interface can indicate the expected price of geologic position, energy Or cost (for example, being indicated as unit of the currency of every energy unit, the dollar of such as every kilowatt hour), the expectation for needing energy Date or date range etc..Additional information, such as interest rate, the folding for being attributed to time value of money and cost can also be inputted Button etc., or the additional information is exported based on geology, economy, politics or other factors.Based on input and derived letter Breath can be determined temperature chart associated with the depth of geologic position or other outputs.Request amount or valence based on electric power Lattice, available energy storage amount, by load of energy service etc., can determine the total electricity of the system for generating geothermal energy Demand, such as depth, temperature, the amount of thermoelectric material, the placement of thermoelectric material etc..It is followed by analysis acoustical signal and in drilling The temperature of the material of ring and the formation characteristics of determination may be used to determine the capacity of the drilling for generating geothermal energy.In some feelings Under condition, determination and update the economic performance for generating geothermal energy that drills can be used when drilling extends.

Fig. 1 is depicted for using the acoustical signal 104 generated by the interaction between bullet 106 and geological materials Come determine stratum 102 characteristic system 100 embodiment.It, can be with as being more fully described previously and about Fig. 2 to Fig. 4 It is formed in stratum 102 at least partially through a part for making bullet 106 accelerate across the drill string 110 contacted with stratum 102 One or more drilling 108.For example, the interaction between a part on the stratum 102 near bullet 106 and drill bit can be weak Change the stratum 102 near drill bit and facilitate drill bit and is advanced through stratum 102.It is hit near drill bit in each bullet 106 When stratum 102, one or more acoustical signals are can be generated in the interaction being knocked between position on bullet 106 and stratum 102 104.For example, acoustical signal 104 may include the vibration of the rock, soil or other geological materials in stratum 102.In some implementations In mode, bullet 106 can be used ram accelerator component 112 and be accelerated, and the ram accelerator component can be positioned at At or near being held at or near its lower end, on it in drill string 110, or in the another position of the length along drill string. About previous U.S. Patent application 13/841,236 incorporated by reference；15/292,011；14/708,932；15/246, 414；14/919,657；15/135,452 and 15/698,549 describes for accelerating bullet using ram accelerator component 112 The example system and method for ball 106.

One or more detections of sonic transducer 114 can be used to be generated by the interaction between bullet 106 and stratum 102 Acoustical signal 104.Sonic transducer 114 be may include such as geophone, accelerometer, be detected dividing for signal using optical fiber Cloth phonoreception surveys (DAS) system etc..For example, DAS system can along fiber optic cables propagate light pulse signal, and based on The interaction of acoustical signal 104 influences the mode of light pulse signal to measure the strain that cable is attributed to acoustical signal 104 and undergoes.Sound Sensor 114 can be positioned at various positions to detect acoustical signal 104.For example, Fig. 4 depicts positioning at the earth's surface at 116 First group of sonic transducer 114 (1), such as be configured to drilling 108 in provide material or from the drilling reception material One or more facilities in.Continue example, the facility at surface 116 can be used to provide into drilling 108 cold fluid so as to It is heated by stratum 102, warm fluid is then received out of drilling for generating geothermal energy.As another example, surface 116 The facility at place can provide drilling fluid into drilling 108, with the drilling well for facilitating the operation of drill bit, measurement is flowed out from drilling 108 The temperature of liquid or clast raises and reduces drill string 110 etc..Sonic transducer 114 (1) also can be positioned at the outside of facility, bury Ensconce surface 116 at or near geological materials in, at the position above surface 116, in the water body at surface 116 etc. Deng.Fig. 1 depicts the second group of sonic transducer 114 (2) positioned along the drill string 110 in first 108 (1) of drilling.For example, drill string One or more conduits or other elements in 110 can accommodate one or more sonic transducers 114 (2).In some embodiment party In formula, sonic transducer 114 (2) can be included in fiber optic cables or similar flexible elongate member.In other embodiments In, one or more sonic transducers 114 (2) can be used to that bullet 106 is made to accelerate to contact (such as BHA's with geological materials Upper end or lower end) BHA it is associated.In other other embodiments, sonic transducer 114 (3) can be bored first In other the one or more drillings 108 of hole 108 (1) nearby.For example, Fig. 1 depict first 108 (1) of drilling nearby the Third group sonic transducer 114 (3) in two 108 (2) of drilling.Continue example, it is related to one or more sonic transducers 114 (3) The one section of fiber optic cables or similar component of connection can reduce in 108 (2) that drill, wherein can detecte and another drilling 108 (1) associated acoustical signal 104.

The acoustical signal 104 detected can such as be divided at one or more facilities at the surface 116 of drilling 108 Analysis, so as to determine drill bit or drill string 110 other parts position.For example, contacted based on the acceleration of bullet 104 with stratum 102 The time that time, the position of various sonic transducers 114 and acoustical signal 104 are received by sonic transducer 114, it can determine drill string Position of 110 end in stratum 102.Therefore, the other component of drill bit or drill string 110 can be positioned, and can be manipulated The extension of drilling 108, and do not require the use of MWD equipment or other devices for positioning drill bit or drill string 110.By avoiding making Equipped with MWD or other devices for positioning drill bit or drill string 110, can reduce it is associated with drilling 108 is formed at This, can be improved reliability etc..

Additionally, it can analyze acoustical signal 104 with the characteristic on the stratum 102 at the various depth of determination and position.For example, wearing Cross the region on the stratum 102 that bullet 106 contacts between the first position on stratum 102 and the second position where sonic transducer 114 The characteristic of vibration can indicate the hardness or porosity of the geological materials in the region.Continue example, acoustical signal 104 can be with For determining the presence of hard rock or softer geological materials, this, which can be used to manipulate drill string 110 in turn, be beneficial to bore Hole 108 (1) is more rapidly on extended direction, such as by manipulation drill string 110 towards more porous or softer material or separate Harder or less porous material.Other characteristics that the stratum 102 that acoustical signal 104 detects can be used may include ground The density in region of layer 102, the presence (for example, aquifer) of water, the presence (for example, salt dome) of salt, natural stratum crack 118 The presence etc. in (" crack ").Position in stratum 102 including crack 118 can be relatively beneficial to generate heat, and therefore, Fluid can be provided in the drilling 108 near crack 118.In some cases, the bullet 106 of profession can be used to hit Or gull 118 is to increase the heat that can be used in 108 (1) that drill.In other cases, crack 118 may be used as Transverse conduit between multiple drillings 108.In other other, crack 118 can indicate the weakening region on stratum 102 Domain can be easy by the atenuator region such as by manipulation drill bit in a lateral direction come the drill bit that navigates.For example, passing through packet The drilling for including the region on the stratum 102 in crack 118 can contribute to the connection to be formed between multiple drillings 108.In such case Under, the fluid provided into the first drilling 108 can be recycled via the second drilling 108 and be fetched again.In some embodiments In, the direction for leaving drill string 110 can be accelerated to control drilling 108 relative to the longitudinal axis of drill string by control bullet 106 (1) extended direction, such as previous U.S. Patent application 15/698 incorporated by reference, described in 549.

Fig. 2 shows for being interacted by the stratum 102 of 202 front of ACCELERATING PROJECTILE 106 and drill bit come in ground material The first part 200 of the method for drilling is formed in material.As described, for example, in previous United States Patent (USP) Shen incorporated by reference Please be in 15/698,549, transmitting tube 204 can be used to guide the bullet of acceleration to pass through the aperture in drill bit 202 and with entering geology In layer 102.The upstream end of transmitting tube 204 can terminate at the combustion chamber 206 in BHA, and the downstream of transmitting tube 204 terminates At aperture in drill bit 202.In use, can make to be located in hair using the pressure that the propellant in combustion chamber 206 generates The bullet 106 penetrated in pipe 204 accelerates in downstream side upwardly toward drill bit 202, and wherein bullet 106 may exit off aperture to hit and bore The geo-logical terrain of first 202 front.The subsequent operation of drill bit 202 may cause to drill bit 202 penetrate stratum 102 by with bullet The part of 106 interactions and reduction.

At frame 208, pipe, conduit or the column in the other kinds of shell of 204 upstream of transmitting tube can be contained in Plug 210 can extend in downstream side upwardly toward drill bit 202.Plunger 210 can carry bullet 106 and end cap 212, the bullet It is located in combustion chamber 206 or transmitting tube 204 at end downstream with end cap towards drill bit 202.For example, in bullet chamber 214 Neighbouring combustion chamber 206 bullet 106 and end cap 212 can advance into combustion chamber towards 202 extension of drill bit in plunger 210 206 or transmitting tube 204 in.As plunger 210, bullet 106 and end cap 212 are boosted in downstream side, this movement can be pushed away Dynamic drilling fluid, formation fluid, clast or other kinds of ejecta leave transmitting tube 204, such as by forcing ejecta to pass through Another opening in aperture or drill bit 202 or transmitting tube 204.

At frame 216, plunger 210 can settle down end cap 212 at or near the downstream of transmitting tube 204.End cap 212 Transmitting tube 204 can be sealed, to prevent drilling fluid, formation fluid, clast or other ejectas from drilling 108 from entering. Additionally, placing end cap 212 can enable transmitting tube 204 to evacuate, and be accelerated with facilitating bullet 106 towards drill bit 202.Example Such as, as plunger 210 and bullet 106 are recalled in the upstream direction, this movement can be evacuated transmitting tube 204.In some realities It applies in mode, at least part of transmitting tube 204 can be evacuated to 25 supports or less pressure.

At frame 218, plunger 210 can be recalled from transmitting tube 204, to settling down bullet 106 in the upper of transmitting tube 204 It swims at end.In some embodiments, the valve 220 or other kinds of closing machine between transmitting tube 204 and combustion chamber 206 Structure can the closing when plunger 210 is recalled so that bullet 106 settles down at the upstream end of transmitting tube 204 by valve 220, is close Combustion chamber 206.

Fig. 3 is depicted for being interacted by the stratum 102 of 202 front of ACCELERATING PROJECTILE 106 and drill bit come in ground material The second part 300 of the method for drilling 108 is formed in material.As described in connection with fig. 2, plunger 210 or similar means can be used to incite somebody to action End cap 212 is placed at or near the downstream of transmitting tube 204, to seal transmitting tube 204 and prevent clast 302 from entering.Plunger 210 and end cap 212 lower downstream can from transmitting tube 204 push or wipe debris 302, such as earth formation material, drilling fluid, spray Object etc. out, and the upper downstream of plunger 210 and bullet 106 can evacuate transmitting tube 204 after it placed end cap 212.Bullet Ball 106 can be placed on the upstream end of transmitting tube 204 in the opposite side for the valve 220 for separating combustion chamber 206 with transmitting tube 204 At or near, such as close to combustion chamber 206.

At frame 304, combustion chamber 206 can at least partly fill propellant 306.Propellant 306 may include any Combustible material, the pressurised material of mode, or the other kinds of reactant or motive power source that can apply to bullet 106.Example Such as, propellant 306 may include one or more fuel gas, and the fuel gas can be ignited.In some embodiments In, propellant 306 can be lighted or be pressurizeed via the upper downstream compressed propellant 306 of bullet 106 or plunger 210.At it In his embodiment, other kinds of igniting can be used, such as individual ignition mechanism.From combustion reaction or and propellant The pressure of 306 associated other kinds of reactions can be passed through transmitting tube 204 with ACCELERATING PROJECTILE 106 and towards drill bit 202.In valve 220 or in the case that other closing means separate combustion chamber 206 with transmitting tube 204, the pressure from propellant 306 can so that Valve 220 is set to open or otherwise permit entering in transmitting tube 204 from the pressure of propellant 306.In some embodiments In, the upper downstream by plunger 210 and bullet 106 about Fig. 2 description causes the evacuation of transmitting tube 204 that can further increase Pressure difference between transmitting tube 204 and combustion chamber 206, this can contribute to ACCELERATING PROJECTILE 106 across transmitting tube 204.

At frame 308, bullet 106 can penetrate end cap 212 and leave transmitting tube 204 at the face of drill bit 202, such as By passing through the aperture in drill bit 202.Then the bullet 106 of acceleration can hit the geo-logical terrain 102 of 202 front of drill bit.Bullet Interaction between ball 106 and stratum 102 can weaken stratum 102, to will lack stratum 102 and bullet with drill bit 202 Stratum 102 is penetrated in the case where interaction between ball 106 to compare, and drill bit 202 is enabled more effectively to penetrate reduction Stratum 102.Interaction between bullet 106 and stratum 102 can destroy at least part of bullet 106 and stratum 102, and And in some embodiments, at least part of end cap 212 is destroyed.In other embodiments, can be used instead gate, Valve, diaphragm or other closing means replace end cap 212, and bullet 106 by the way that closing means can be opened.By these phases The clast 302 that interaction generates can be carried such as by the flowing of drilling fluid in the upstream direction towards surface 116.One In a little embodiments, transmitting also may exit off by by-product, waste material or clast 302 that the burning or discharge of propellant 306 generate Pipe 204.For example, the by-product that propellant 306 burns may exit off the aperture in drill bit 202.In other embodiments, emit One or more ventilation openings or other openings in pipe 204, drill bit 202 or combustion chamber 206 can be used to permit byproduct stream to arrive In annular space.In some cases, the by-product of the propellant 306 of the aperture in drill bit 202 or another part of drill string 110 is left It can contribute to transport clast 302 in the upstream direction.

At frame 310, after bullet 106 leaves transmitting tube 204, the valve 220 at the upstream end of transmitting tube 204 can be closed It closes, and another bullet 106 and end cap 212 can be positioned in transmitting tube 204 or combustion chamber 206, enables to repeat to close In the process that Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is described.For example, after the acceleration of previous bullet 106, bullet 106 and end from bullet chamber 214 Lid 212 can enter in combustion chamber 206 because of the pressure difference between bullet chamber 214 and combustion chamber 206.Before drill bit 202 Into when passing through stratum 102, transmitting tube 204 will fill drilling fluid, ejecta or other clasts 302.For example, in the bullet of acceleration After 106 destroy end cap 212, clast 302 can enter the aperture in drill bit 202.Clast 302 into transmitting tube 204 can It is removed with the movement for by plunger 210 being used to that subsequent end cap 212 to be made to settle down, as described in connection with fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is depicted for being interacted by the stratum 102 of 202 front of ACCELERATING PROJECTILE 106 and drill bit come in ground material The Part III 400 of the method for drilling is formed in material.As described in about Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, transmitting tube 204, combustion chamber 206, Yi Zhonghuo A variety of 306 materials of propellant, plunger 210 and bullet chamber 214 containing one or more bullets 106 and end cap 212 can be with It is accommodated in the bottomhole component 402 of drill string.Bullet 106, which is accelerated towards stratum 102, may cause to bullet 106 and close to brill At least part on first 202 stratum 102 interacts, this is lacking the interaction between bullet 106 and stratum 102 In the case of penetrate drill bit 202 and compare, can contribute to drill bit 202 and penetrate stratum 102.

At frame 404, the bullet 106 of acceleration may exit off aperture in drill bit 202, hit geo-logical terrain 102, and wear Saturating at least short distance enters in stratum 102.For example, bullet 106 can accelerate to ultrahigh speed, and can after shock with stratum 102 interactions interact as fluid-fluid, to form the hole with generally cylindrical shape.Show as another Example, the bullet 106 for accelerating to non-ultrahigh speed speed can interact with stratum 102, interact as solid-solid, this Can make a part rupture on stratum 102 or split, thus formed can be the cylindrical, crater with cone shape profile or The hole of another shape.Independently of the speed of bullet 106, the interaction between the bullet 106 and stratum 102 of acceleration can make Bullet 106 hits the geological materials displacement on the stratum 102 at or near the point on stratum 102, compression, removes, ruptures or with other Mode weakens.

At frame 406, the interaction between bullet 106 and stratum 102 can crush bullet 106 at least part or Otherwise make its deterioration, and weakens at least part on the stratum 102 of 202 front of drill bit.The clast 302 of generation can be with Such as via annular space flow upstream.In some embodiments, clast 302 may include the end cap 212 penetrated by bullet 106 Part, propellant 306, the burning from propellant 306 or the by-product of reaction etc. for accelerating bullet 106.? Under some cases, clast 302 can be flowed in drill bit 202 or transmitting tube 204, such as pass through the aperture in drill bit 202.However, When latter end cap 212 is placed at or near drill bit 202 (such as by the mobile plunger 210 for carrying end cap 212), clast 302 can then remove from transmitting tube 204, as described in connection with fig. 2.

At frame 408, drill bit 202 can be advanced through the ground of the reduction formed by the interaction with bullet 106 Layer 410.For example, the stratum 410 of reduction may include the cone that is formed via the shock between bullet 106 and stratum 102 Crater.Continue example, the interaction between stratum 102 and bullet 106 can crush bullet 106 and occupy the stratum in crater 102 part.The clast 302 of crushing can be from crater flow upstream, and the rotation and reduction of drill bit 202 may cause to drill bit 202 penetrate the stratum 410 of reduction.At the time of drill bit 202 passes through stratum 410 of reduction or close to the moment, it can make latter Bullet 106 is accelerated into weaken the rear portion on stratum 102 in stratum 102, thus before further helping in drill bit 202 Into.

Fig. 5 depicts the embodiment of the system 500 for using drilling 108 to generate geothermal energy.It as previously discussed, can be with Drilling 108 is formed in the geological materials (such as surface 114 of the earth or another planetary) on stratum 102.Geological materials can be with Including rock, soil, sand, ice etc..The temperature of geological materials can based on drilling 108 depth and increase.For example, on ground It is lower than 300 feet of depth on ball, the temperature of the geological materials around drilling 108 is usually that just to increase by one Celsius for every 30 meters of depths Degree.Density that typical lithosome can have about every cubic metre 2700 kilograms and every km are at 20 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius Nominal temperature gradient in range.In some embodiments, the heat ladder in geological materials can be tested during drilling process Degree.For example, can measure clast 302 during drilling out drilling 108 or recycle the temperature for leaving other fluids of drilling 108.? In some embodiments, temperature can flow through drill string 110 lower than the fluid of geological materials, and over time, can be based on The temperature of fluid come measure drilling 108 in one or more positions temperature.It, can definitely material based on such measurement The elasticity (for example, heat flux and hot coefficient) of the temperature of material.The measurement may be used to determine the target depth and material of drilling 108 Expect the placement in drilling 108.In some embodiments, based on the analysis to acoustical signal 104 and the geological materials of determination Characteristic may be used to determine the type or amount of the target depth of drilling 108 and the material that will be placed in drilling 108.For example, The presence of porosity or intrinsic fracture 118 based on geological materials, can determine the thermal characteristics of geological materials.

Drilling 108 may include one of them or multiple conduits.For example, outer catheter 502 can by geological materials with The inside of drilling 108 separates.Inner catheter 504 can be positioned in outer catheter 502.Although in some embodiments, inner catheter 504 and outer catheter 502 may include the cylindrical conduit concentrically placed, but in other embodiments, inner catheter 504 and outer Conduit 502 may include any cross sectional shape, and inner catheter 502 can be placed on any position in the inside of outer catheter 504 It sets.In other other embodiments, inner catheter 502 and outer catheter 504 may include not being placed in each other instead Multiple conduits.In some embodiments, inner catheter 502 may include the drilling conductor for forming drilling 108, such as continuously Pipe or drilling pipe.In other embodiments, outer catheter 502 may include the conduit for forming drilling 108.For example, can bore It drills 108 out, such as uses about method described in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4, uses with the target for being selected as drilling 108 or best The conduit of the constant diameter of diameter.In other other embodiments, outer catheter 502 or another drilling conductor are being used It is formed after drilling 108, inner catheter 504 can be positioned in drilling 108.In some embodiments, outer catheter 502 can wrap Include casing, cement, bushing and the another type that can be positioned at soon in drilling 108 during the formation of drilling or after being formed Barrier, for example, with prevent geological materials enter drilling 108 in.In other other embodiments, it is convenient to omit outer catheter 502.It avoids for example, certain form of geological materials can have to the desired of the barrier between geological materials and drilling 108 Density, porosity, hardness or other materials characteristic.

As shown in figure 5, inner catheter 504 and outer catheter 502 are placed on including being subdivided into drilling 108 in drilling 108 Inner hole 506 in conduit 504 and the annular space 508 being located in outside inner hole 506.In some embodiments, inner hole 506 can be through It is in fluid communication by the open lower end 510 and annular space 508 of inner catheter 504.In other embodiments, inner catheter 504 may include The one or more opening (not shown) formed in its side wall, fluid can enter by the opening or leave annular space 508.

In order to use drilling 108 to generate geothermal energy, it is deeper than the target in drilling 108 that temperature can be provided into drilling 108 The cold fluid 512 in stratum 102 at degree, is such as provided via inner hole 506.Although in drilling 108, stratum 102 can be with Fluid 512 is transferred heat to, then the fluid such as can be recycled to surface 116 via annular space 508 in the upstream direction. In some embodiments, the characteristic determined based on acoustical signal 104 may be used to determine the characteristic on stratum 102.For example, acoustical signal 104 variation when being advanced through the region on stratum 102 can indicate hardness, porosity, density or the other materials on stratum 102 Characteristic, such as presence in crack 118, rock, salt, water etc..The characteristic on stratum 102 can indicate that stratum 102 retains and shifts The ability of heat.These characteristics may be used to determine the type and delivering fluid 512 of the fluid 512 provided into drilling 108 Rate.For example, fluid 512 may include brine, metal fluid, ammonia, water, salt water, fuse salt or other kinds of fluid, Middle each the heat that can receive from stratum 102 is retained heat and characteristic based on fluid and is disappeared with different rates Heat dissipation capacity.The characteristic of depth and stratum 108 based on drilling 108, it is received from stratum 102 to optimize to can choose fluid 512 Heat, and fluid 512 towards surface 116 flow when minimize heat dissipation.At surface 116, one can be used Or the heat of multiple turbines or the fluid 512 of other kinds of self-heating in device future is converted into electric power (for example, electric current). In some cases, the type and amount for generating the equipment of electric power using the fluid 512 of heating can be based in part on and make It is determined with the characteristic on the determining stratum 102 of acoustical signal 104.In other embodiments, fluid 512 can be via annular space 508 It provides in drilling 108 and is circulated up above well via inner hole 506.In other other embodiments, fluid 512 It can be provided via one or more conduits into the first drilling 108, such as via one or more transverse holes or existing Layer crack 118 is recycled to the second drilling 108 and then is circulated up above well via the second drilling 108.In other other realities It applies in mode, fluid 512 can be provided in any amount of conduit or drilling 108 and use other any amount of conduits Or drilling 108 is circulated up.

In some embodiments, electric current can be generated in drilling 108 itself.For example, one or more thermoelectric elements 514 can be placed in drilling 108, with based on drilling between the fluid 512 in geological materials and drilling 108 or The thermal gradient between fluids 512 and still unheated fluid 512 that heats in 108 and generate electric current.Continuation example, one or more A thermoelectric element 514 can be located in annular space 508 along the inner surface of outer catheter 502.Fig. 5 is depicted along outer catheter 502 The thermoelectric element 514 being located near the lower end 510 of inner catheter 504, however, thermoelectric element 514 can be placed on along leading outside At any position of the length of pipe 502.In other embodiments, thermoelectric element 514 can be along the outer surface of outer catheter 502 It places (for example, close to or contact geological materials), place (for example, in annular space 508) along the outer surface of inner catheter 504, or Person places (for example, in inner hole 506) along the inner surface of inner catheter 504.In other other embodiments, if do not made With outer catheter 502, then thermoelectric element 514 can be located at the selected location in drilling 108 along geological materials itself.Made The type of thermoelectric material 514 and the amount of thermoelectric material 512 and placement can be based at least partially on the characteristic on stratum 302 It is determined, such as density, porosity, heat flux etc., the characteristic can be based on to the acoustical signal for propagating through stratum 102 104 analysis determines.In some cases, the conduit for carrying the thermoelectric element 514 of selected type and amount can be in real time It is inserted into drilling 108 based on the characteristic on the stratum 102 determined by analysis acoustical signal 104.It is fastened to outside it for example, having The inner catheter 504 of 100 TPV elements on surface can be based on the determination between the inside and surrounding formation 102 of drilling 108 Temperature difference and be reduced to drilling 108 in.

Thermoelectric element 514 may include that the thermoelectricity of any mode generates material, thermoelectricity occasionally thermionic device.For example, hot Electric device 514 may include the semiconductor (for example, tellurium-gallium, Si) based on doped silicon, and the semiconductor uses Peltier or match shellfish Temperature difference is converted into potential to be used to generate electric power by gram technique.In other embodiments, thermoelectric element 514 may include TPV element, the TPV element can generate photon in response to geological materials.For example, TPV element may include being configured to At least part of receiving pole in the emitter and capture photon of photon is generated in response to specific temperature or temperature difference.It gives birth to At the frequency of pipe can be influenced by specific temperature, and in some cases, can by the frequency of the photon of receiving pole capture To be coordinated based on the desired temperature in drilling 108.It can be collected with the electronics of photon correlation connection by photocell to generate electricity Stream.In some embodiments, thermoelectric element 514 may include the square or rectangular section of thermoelectric material, such as with The rectangle material of length and width within the scope of 30 to 50 millimeters and 10 millimeters or less thickness.In other embodiments In, thermoelectric element 514 can have the integral other shapes of structure for the conduit being joined to them.For example, thermoelectricity is first Part 514 can be formed as cylindrical or hexagonal tube.

Thermoelectric element 514 can generate electric current in response to the temperature difference between geological materials and the inside of drilling 108.Example Such as, when fluid 512 of the temperature lower than the temperature of geological materials is by thermoelectric element 514, it can produce temperature on thermoelectric element 514 It is poor to spend.Continue example, cooling fluid 514 can be provided from surface 116 (for example, via pump), such as brine, metal fluid, ammonia, Then water, salt water, fuse salt etc. are recycled towards surface 116 to capture or to recycle.In some embodiments, system 500 may include closed-loop system, wherein drilling 108 is not in fluid communication with geological materials, so that the non-contiguously material of fluid 512 And geological materials do not enter drilling 108.

Conductive material in one or more of inner catheter 504, outer catheter 502, thermoelectric element 514 or fluid 512 can To be used to conduct the electric current of generation towards surface 116.In some embodiments, the one of thermoelectric element 514 or system 500 A or multiple other parts may include power converter, power governor or the other elements for modifying electric current.

Fig. 6 is depicted for being using what drilling 108 generated geothermal energy and recycling fluid 512 in subsurface environment The embodiment of system 600.As described in about Fig. 1 to Fig. 4, at least partly it can make stratum 102 using the bullet of acceleration 106 Geological materials displacement weakens the formation drilling 108 in stratum 102.For forming and being isolated conduit (such as drilling well of drilling 108 Conduit and outer sleeve) drilling 108 can be subdivided into the hole that can be used to make fluid 512 on well and downhole flows up And annular space.

As described with regard to fig. 5, inner catheter 504 and outer catheter 502 can be positioned in drilling 108, and inner catheter 504 is located in In outer catheter 502.In some embodiments, drilling 108 can have the diameter of the diameter greater than outer catheter 502, such as logical It crosses and relative to the bullet 106 of its acceleration cast at a certain angle or is configured to relative to drilling well using from drilling conductor The bullet 106 of generative power in the transverse direction of conduit.Therefore, inner catheter 504 can by drill 108 inner hole 506 and interior annular space 602 separate, and the interior annular space is located between inner catheter 504 and outer catheter 502.It outer catheter 502 and is located in outside outer catheter 502 The wall of a borehole 604 in portion can limit outer annular space 606.

In some embodiments, outer annular space 606 can fill warm fluid 608, such as conductive or convection current mud.For example, After drilling 108 has been extended to target depth, graphite mud or another type of fluid can be injected into is more than to lead outside The lower end of pipe 502 or one or more openings in outer catheter 502 enter in outer annular space 606.Warm fluid 608 can connect Contact to earth layer 102 geological materials and by the heat from geological materials towards outer catheter 502 conduction or convection current, to facilitate heat Amount is shifted towards interior annular space 602.In some embodiments, warm fluid 608 can be recycled, such as by using pump, whirlpool Turbine, drill bit, or other fluid mobile devices that can be positioned at or near the end of outer catheter 502 (are not shown in Fig. 6 Out).The circulation of warm fluid 608 can contribute to heat and be evenly distributed along the outside of outer catheter 502.For example, warm fluid 608 Circulation may cause to warm fluid 608 by from drilling 108 in higher depth heat or material be transferred to outer annular space 606 Farther part is positioned upwards above well.In some embodiments, one or more 610 (such as, concrete of isolation element Plug, sealing element, valve or other kinds of barrier or closing means) it can be positioned in outer annular space 606, to limit warm fluid 608 flow to the selection area of outer annular space 606.

Cold fluid 612 (for example, the temperature with the temperature less than warm fluid 608) can be via inner hole 506 or interior annular space One of 602 are provided into drilling 108, and follow via the other of inner hole 506 or interior annular space 602 towards surface 114 Ring.Cold fluid 612 can be heated and close to warm fluid 608.For example, the heat from warm fluid 608 can be crossed outside Conduit 502 is transmitted to cold fluid 612.The cold fluid 612 of heating may return to surface 114, wherein the heat from cold fluid 612 Amount can be used to generate electric current.In some embodiments, thermoelectric element 514 can be positioned in drilling 108, so that cold fluid 612 and warm fluid 608 generate thermal gradient on thermoelectric element 514.For example, thermoelectric element 514 can be positioned at outer catheter 502 In a part.

Fig. 7 is the diagram 700 for describing the embodiment for the conduit 702 for being configured to accommodate thermoelectric element 514.As previously discussed It states, due to the ability for accelerating into bullet 106 relative to the axis of drilling conductor with various angles in geological materials, drilling 108 can have any cross sectional shape, including non-circular shape.Therefore, the conduit for forming drilling 108 or being inserted 702 may not necessarily have circular section shape.For example, Fig. 7 is depicted with the pentagonal section shape limited by five walls 704 The conduit 702 of shape, the wall and then restriction extend through the hole 706 of conduit 702.In some cases, the shape phase of conduit 702 It can contribute to fluid for the shape of drilling 108 to recycle in the annular space 512 between drilling 108 and conduit 702.For example, will Conduit 702 with angled surface, which is placed in circular bore 108, can influence fluid in annular space 512 relative to conduit 702 mobile modes.In some embodiments, one or more of wall 704 may include electronics frame associated there Frame 708.For example, wall 704 can be formed by electronic frame 708 or otherwise integral with the electronic frame, Huo Zhe electricity Subframe 708 can be attached to wall 704.

The electric current court that electronic frame 708 can be formed from conductive materials and be configured to be generated by thermoelectric element 514 It is conducted to surface 116.In some embodiments, electronic frame 708 can also include electric regulating member or with electric regulating member Telecommunication.Electronic frame 708 may be configured to 514 maintenance of thermoelectric element in desired position.For example, electronic frame 708 An embodiment may include the rectangle plane formed by the linear element interlocked, with limit wherein have one or more The mesh shape in space 710.Each space 710 may be configured to engage or otherwise make rectangle thermoelectric element 514 solid Position.In other embodiments, list frame 708 can have with have the conduit 702 of other cross sectional shapes it is corresponding other Shape.For example, electronic frame 708 and thermoelectric element 514 can have curvature corresponding with the curvature of cylindrical conduit 702.? In some embodiments, one or more electronic frames 708 can in series or be connected in parallel together.Use electronic frame 708 can enable to add, remove or replace specific thermoelectric element 514 or specific electron frame 708 in modular fashion, all At the time of such as when one or more thermoelectric elements 514 or one or more electronic frames 708 become damage.

Electronic frame 708 can be used heat insulator and be formed, and in some embodiments, and each space 710 can To include the electrical connection for engaging thermoelectric element 514, such as socket.Electronic frame 708 can also include connecting adjacent heat Electric device 514 or the bus that thermoelectric element 514 is connected to power transmission elements.For example, in one or more of space 710 In, power adjustment unit or power converter can be placed.Continue example, power adjustment unit can will be by thermoelectric element 514 The converting direct-current power into alternating-current power of generation, or can otherwise modify the electric power generated by thermoelectric element 514.It is using In the embodiment of TPV element, the first part in space 710 may include heat emitters, and the second part in space 710 can be with Including photocell.

Fig. 8 is to show for using the data determined from acoustical signal 104 to generate the flow chart 800 of the method for drilling 108. At 802, one or more bullets 106 can be made to accelerate across conduit and be contacted with geological materials to form drilling 108.Example Such as, ACCELERATING PROJECTILE 106 can be used to about Fig. 2 to Fig. 4 method described to contact with geological materials at least partly to weaken material Material, while drill bit 202 can be used to drill through the material of reduction.

At 804, the letter of the one or more sound as caused by the interaction between bullet 106 and geological materials can detecte Numbers 104.For example, such as describing about Fig. 1, the interaction between bullet 106 and geological materials can cause in geological materials Vibration, the vibration can be used one or more sonic transducers 114 and detect.Sonic transducer 114 can be positioned at bullet 106 In accelerated drilling 108, in another drilling 108 or at surface 116.

At 806, it is based on acoustical signal 104, can determine one or more characteristics of a part of geological materials.For example, Bullet 106 can hit geological materials in first position, and it is outside from first position that this may cause to one or more acoustical signals 104 Projection.The sonic transducer 114 of the second place can detecte acoustical signal 104.It, can based on the characteristic of the acoustical signal 104 detected To determine that the characteristic of the geological materials between first position and the second position, such as hardness, porosity and crack 118 are deposited ?.It can be enabled to using multiple sonic transducers 114 based on the corresponding portion for propagating through geological materials at different locations Acoustical signal 104 determine the characteristics of the different zones of geological materials.

At frame 808, based on the characteristic of the determination of geological materials, drilling 108 can be towards or away from having determined characteristic The region of geological materials extends.For example, if geological materials include greater than the hardness of threshold value hardness or less than threshold value porosity Porosity, then these characteristics may interfere the extension of drilling 108, and drilling 108 may be located remotely from the area of the geological materials Domain extends.If geological materials include the porosity less than the hardness of threshold value hardness or greater than threshold value porosity, these characteristics It can contribute to the extension of drilling 108, and drilling 108 can extend towards the region of the geological materials.If ground material Expect that crack 118 has the size greater than threshold size, then crack 118 can be used to extract heat or material from geological materials Expect, flow material between multiple drillings 108 or form transverse holes between multiple drillings 108, and drilling 108 can be with Extend towards crack 118.

At 810, it can determine that the temperature in drilling 108 (such as at its current depth) is more than threshold temperature.Threshold value Temperature can be selected as being suitable for generating the temperature of a selected amount of thermal energy, such as more than the current or average ring at surface 116 At least a selected amount of temperature of border temperature, or more than at least a selected amount of temperature of the current or mean temperature of circulation of fluid 512.

At 812, fluid 512 can be recycled in drilling 108, so that the heat from drilling 108 can shift To fluid 512.As described in about Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the fluid in one or more conduits can be in the short distance of adjacent geological materials Inside pass through, this can enable the heats from geological materials can be transferred to fluid 512.

At 814, the heat generation electric current from fluid 512 can be used.In some embodiments, the fluid of heating 512 can flow to surface 116, wherein the heat from fluid 512 can be used to generate electric current.In other embodiments, it flows Body is by can produce temperature difference near thermoelectric element 516, and in response to this, electric current can be generated so as to court in thermoelectric element 516 It is conducted to electric loading.

Fig. 9 is the method shown for being constrained based on user and generating drilling 108 from the determining data of acoustical signal 104 Flow chart 900.At frame 902, user's input of one or more characteristics of instruction cost and electric loading can receive.For example, User's input can specify the amount of the thermal energy that can be used at least partly supply electric loading from drilling 108.User's input It can be with assigned budget, the expected cost of per unit energy or other economic restrictions.

At 904, borehole temperature corresponding with the characteristic of electric loading can be determined.For example, based on the drilling that will be generated 108 diameter and by user input instruction geothermal energy amount and cost, can determination can be used to generate with it is indicated Measure the borehole temperature of geothermal energy corresponding with cost.

At 906, one or more acceleration of bullet 106 can be made to be contacted with geological materials to form drilling 108.For example, At least part of drilling 108 can be used to generate about Fig. 2 to Fig. 4 method described.

At 908, the letter of the one or more sound as caused by the interaction between bullet 106 and geological materials can detecte Numbers 104.As described with regard to FIG. 1, acoustical signal 104 may include propagated by geological materials by bullet 106 and geological materials it Between shock or other interaction caused by vibration.The sonic transducer 114 of one or more positions can detecte from bullet The acoustical signal 104 that 106 positions to interact with geological materials are propagated in various directions.

At 910, it is based on acoustical signal 104, can determine one or more characteristics of geological materials, such as hardness, hole The presence in rate or crack 118.

At 912, based on identified characteristic, it can determine and 108 be extended to corresponding to target borehole temperature for that will drill The cost of the depth of degree.For example, penetrating the ground with high rigidity or low porosity compared with the material for penetrating softer or more hole Material may need more time and materials.Based on identified characteristic, can determine extend the per unit of drilling 108 away from From cost, this may be used to determine the cost for making drilling 108 extend to target depth associated with borehole temperature.Some In the case of, the associated value of geothermal energy of 108 generation of drilling can be can be used with 108 associated costs of drilling are generated It offsets.

Following clause provides the additional description to various embodiments and structure:

A kind of clause 1: method comprising: so that the first bullet is accelerated across conduit, wherein first bullet contacts geology The first position of material is drilled with being formed, and between the geological materials at first bullet and the first position Interaction generates acoustical signal；The acoustical signal is detected using the sonic transducer of the second place；Based on the acoustical signal come Determine one or more characteristics in the region of the geological materials between the first position and the second position；And base The drilling is controlled on the direction towards or away from the region of the geological materials in one or more of characteristics Formation.

Clause 2: the method as described in clause 1, wherein one or more of characteristics include the hardness of the geological materials Or one or more of porosity of the geological materials, the method also includes: determine it is following one or more: it is described hard Degree is more than that threshold value hardness or the porosity are less than threshold value porosity；The formation of the drilling is wherein controlled in said direction Including make it is described drilling along avoid path intersect with the region of the geological materials extension.

Clause 3: the method as described in clause 1 or 2, wherein one or more of characteristics include the hard of the geological materials Degree or one or more of the porosity of the geological materials, the method also includes: determine it is following one or more: it is described Hardness is less than threshold value hardness or the porosity is greater than threshold value porosity；The shape of the drilling is wherein controlled in said direction At including extending the drilling along the path that the region with the geological materials is intersected.

Clause 4: the method as described in any one of clause 1 to 3, wherein one or more of characteristics include the geology Size in material is greater than one or more cracks of threshold size, and extending the drilling in said direction includes making The drilling extends along the path intersected at least one crack in one or more of cracks.

Clause 5: the clause as described in clause 4 is indulged wherein first bullet is configured to apply to the geological materials Xiang Li so that the drilling extends, the method also includes: make the second bullet accelerate to reach near one or more of cracks The drilling a part, wherein second bullet be configured to after being contacted with the geological materials to one or Multiple cracks apply cross force, to increase the size at least one crack.

Clause 6: the method as described in any one of clause 1 to 5, further include: determine the first temperature in the drilling More than threshold temperature；The fluid with the second temperature less than first temperature is provided into the drilling, wherein the stream Body is heated to the third temperature greater than the second temperature；Make have the fluid circulation of the third temperature to the brill The upper end in hole；And electric current is generated using the heat from the fluid with the third temperature.

Clause 7: the method as described in any one of clause 1 to 6, wherein at least one thermoelectric element and first conduit It is associated, the method also includes: fluid is provided to a part with the first temperature of the drilling, wherein the fluid has There is the second temperature less than first temperature, the fluid is located on the first side of the thermoelectric element, the institute of the drilling It states part to be located in second side opposite with first side of the thermoelectric element, and the thermoelectric element is in response to described Temperature difference between first temperature and the second temperature and generate electric current；And the electric current court that will be generated by the thermoelectric element It is conducted to the upper end of the drilling.

Clause 8: the method as described in any one of clause 1 to 7, further include: it receives instruction and generates the electricity of predetermined amount The user of the amount of the associated thermal energy of power inputs；Determine the threshold temperature for generating the amount of the thermal energy；It determines and corresponds to institute State the drilling depth of threshold temperature；And the drilling is made to extend to the drilling depth.

Clause 9: the method as described in clause 8, further include: in the value of the amount based on user input or the thermal energy One of or more persons carry out threshold value cost；One or more of characteristics in the region based on the geological materials are come really The fixed cost for being used to generate the drilling with the drilling depth；And determine that the cost is less than the threshold value cost.

A kind of clause 10: method comprising: contact the acceleration of the first bullet with geological materials, wherein first bullet Interaction between the geological materials generates acoustical signal；The acoustical signal is detected using sonic transducer；Based on described One or more cracks in region of the acoustical signal to determine the geological materials；And extend the first drilling with described one At least one crack intersection in a or multiple cracks.

Clause 11: the method as described in clause 10, further include: make the second bullet accelerate to reach one or more of split A part of the drilling near seam, wherein interaction between second bullet and the geological materials is to described one At least subset applied force in a or multiple cracks, to enhance described in one or more of cracks at least subset.

Clause 12: the method as described in clause 10 or 11, further include: described near one or more of cracks The fluid with the first temperature is provided in a part of first drilling, wherein the part of the drilling, which has, is greater than described the The second temperature of one temperature and the fluid are heated to the third temperature greater than first temperature；Make that there is the third The part of the fluid circulation of temperature far from first drilling；And using from the institute with the third temperature The heat of fluid is stated to generate electric current.

Clause 13: the method as described in any one of clause 10 to 12, further include: make the second drilling one or The within the threshold range in multiple cracks extends towards the part of the geological materials；It is formed in first drilling and described the The transverse holes that extend between two drillings, wherein the transverse holes at least partly at least one in one or more of cracks A crack intersection；The fluid with the first temperature is provided into first drilling in the downhole direction；Pass through the fluid The transverse holes are recycled in second drilling；It is circulated up the fluid above well and leaves second drilling, In the fluid can be heated to greatly by one or more of first drilling, the transverse holes or described second drilling In the second temperature of first temperature；And electricity is generated using the heat from the fluid with the second temperature Stream.

Clause 14: the method as described in any one of clause 10 to 13, further include: make the second drilling towards the geology The part of material extends, wherein second drilling and at least one described crack phase in one or more of cracks It hands over；The fluid with the first temperature is provided into first drilling in the downhole direction；Pass through the fluid one Or at least subset in multiple cracks is recycled in second drilling；It is circulated up the fluid above well and leaves described Two drillings, wherein the fluid by the way that the fluid to be heated to the second temperature greater than first temperature；And it uses Heat from the fluid with the second temperature generates electric current.

A kind of clause 15: system comprising: the first conduit is located in the geological materials around drilling, wherein described Geological materials close to first conduit outer surface and the geological materials have the first temperature；Second conduit, positioning In first conduit, wherein limiting the first annular space between first conduit and second conduit；First fluid moves Dynamic device is configured to make the fluid with the second temperature less than first temperature via first conduit or described One of first annular space is recycled in the drilling and recycles via the other of first conduit or described annular space The drilling is left, wherein the fluid is heated to be greater than the second temperature by first annular space by the fluid circulation Third temperature；And power generator, it is configured to come using the heat from the fluid with the third temperature Generate electric current.

Clause 16: the system as described in clause 15, wherein first conduit is spaced apart to limit with the wall of the drilling Second annular space, the system also includes: second fluid mobile device is configured to make drilled material in second annular space Circulation maintains first temperature will be close to a part of the geological materials of the outer surface of first conduit Threshold temperature in.

Clause 17: the system as described in clause 16, further include: at least one isolation element in second annular space, It is used to for circulation of the second fluid mobile device to the drilled material being restricted to close to described in first conduit The region of outer surface.

Clause 18: the system as described in any one of clause 15 to 17, wherein the power generator includes at least one heat Electric device, at least one described thermoelectric element have the first side towards first conduit and the towards first annular space Two sides, wherein the fluid in one of first conduit or first annular space has the second temperature, and The fluid in the other of first conduit or first annular space there is the third temperature with cause it is described extremely A few thermoelectric element generates the electric current.

Clause 19: the system as described in clause 18, further include: electronic frame associated with first conduit, Described in electronic frame contain at least one described thermoelectric element and be configured to the table by the electric current towards the drilling Face conduction.

Clause 20: the system as described in clause 19, further include: one or more power conditioning components, with the electricity Subframe it is associated and at least one described thermoelectric element telecommunication, with modify the power of the electric current, frequency, phase, One or more of amperage or voltage.

Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that, can eliminate, combine, segmenting, being performed in parallel or with substitution Sequence using certain steps or operation shown in the figures above.In addition, the above method can be used for computer system One or more software programs come implement and be encoded as in a computer-readable storage medium can be at one or more The instruction executed on reason device.The independent example of these programs can be executed or be distributed in individual computer system individually Computer system on.

It is executed although certain steps have described as by certain devices, process or entity, it is not necessarily the case that in this way And persons skilled in the art will be understood that various alternate embodiments.

Additionally, persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that, above-mentioned technology can be in various devices, environment and feelings It is used in shape.Although writing the disclosure about specific embodiment and embodiment, can suggest to those skilled in the art Variations and modifications, and the disclosure is intended to cover the such change and modification fallen within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. a kind of method comprising:

The first bullet is set to accelerate across conduit, wherein the first position of first bullet contact geological materials is drilled with being formed, And the interaction between the geological materials at first bullet and the first position generates acoustical signal；

The acoustical signal is detected using the sonic transducer of the second place；

The region of the geological materials between the first position and the second position is determined based on the acoustical signal One or more characteristics；And

Institute is controlled on the direction towards or away from the region of the geological materials based on one or more of characteristics State the formation of drilling.

2. the method as described in claim 1, wherein one or more of characteristics include hardness or the institute of the geological materials One or more of the porosity for stating geological materials, the method also includes:

Determine it is following one or more: the hardness is more than that threshold value hardness or the porosity are less than threshold value porosity；

The formation for wherein controlling the drilling in said direction includes making the drilling along avoiding and the geological materials The path of the region intersection extends.

3. the method as described in claim 1, wherein one or more of characteristics include hardness or the institute of the geological materials One or more of the porosity for stating geological materials, the method also includes:

Determine it is following one or more: the hardness is less than threshold value hardness or the porosity is greater than threshold value porosity；

Wherein control in said direction the drilling formation include make it is described drilling along with described in the geological materials The path of region intersection extends.

4. the method as described in claim 1, wherein one or more of characteristics include that size in the geological materials is big In one or more cracks of threshold size, and make it is described drilling in said direction extend include make it is described drilling along with The path of at least one crack intersection in one or more of cracks extends.

5. method as claimed in claim 4, wherein first bullet is configured to apply longitudinal force to the geological materials So that the drilling extends, the method also includes:

The second bullet is set to accelerate to reach a part of the drilling near one or more of cracks, wherein second bullet Ball is configured to after contacting with the geological materials apply cross force to one or more of cracks, described at least with increase The size in one crack.

6. the method as described in claim 1, further include:

Determine that the first temperature in the drilling is more than threshold temperature；

The fluid with the second temperature less than first temperature is provided into the drilling, wherein the fluid is heated to Greater than the third temperature of the second temperature；

Make have the fluid circulation of the third temperature to the upper end of the drilling；And

Electric current is generated using the heat from the fluid with the third temperature.

7. the method as described in claim 1, wherein at least one thermoelectric element is associated with first conduit, the method Further include:

Fluid is provided to a part with the first temperature of the drilling, wherein the fluid, which has, is less than first temperature Second temperature, the fluid is located on the first side of the thermoelectric element, and the part of the drilling is located at the thermoelectricity In second side opposite with first side of element, and the thermoelectric element is in response to first temperature and described second Temperature difference between temperature and generate electric current；And

The electric current generated by the thermoelectric element is conducted towards the upper end of the drilling.

8. the method as described in claim 1, further include:

The user for receiving the amount of instruction thermal energy associated with the electric power of predetermined amount is generated inputs；

Determine the threshold temperature for generating the amount of the thermal energy；

Determine the drilling depth for corresponding to the threshold temperature；And

The drilling is set to extend to the drilling depth.

9. method according to claim 8, further include:

One or more of value of amount based on user input or the geothermal energy is come threshold value cost；

Being determined based on one or more of characteristics in the region of the geological materials has the drilling for generating The cost of the drilling of depth；And

Determine that the cost is less than the threshold value cost.

10. a kind of method comprising:

Contact the acceleration of the first bullet with geological materials, wherein the interaction between first bullet and the geological materials Generate acoustical signal；

The acoustical signal is detected using sonic transducer；

One or more cracks in the region of the geological materials are determined based on the acoustical signal；And

Extend the first drilling to intersect at least one crack in one or more of cracks.

11. method as claimed in claim 10, further include:

The second bullet is set to accelerate to reach a part of the drilling near one or more of cracks, wherein second bullet An at least subset applied force from interaction between ball and the geological materials to one or more of cracks, to enhance State an at least subset in one or more cracks.

12. method as claimed in claim 10, further include:

The fluid with the first temperature is provided in a part of first drilling near one or more of cracks, Described in drilling the part have greater than first temperature second temperature and the fluid be heated to greater than institute State the third temperature of the first temperature；

Make the part for having the fluid circulation of the third temperature far from first drilling；And

Electric current is generated using the heat from the fluid with the third temperature.

13. method as claimed in claim 10, further include:

Extend the second drilling towards a part of the geological materials in the within the threshold range in one or more of cracks；

The transverse holes extended between first drilling and second drilling are formed in, wherein the transverse holes are at least partly Intersect at least one crack in one or more of cracks；

The fluid with the first temperature is provided into first drilling in the downhole direction；

It is recycled to the fluid in second drilling by the transverse holes；

It is circulated up the fluid above well and leaves second drilling, wherein passing through first drilling, the transverse direction The fluid can be heated to the second temperature greater than first temperature by one or more of hole or second drilling；With And

Electric current is generated using the heat from the fluid with the second temperature.

14. method as claimed in claim 10, further include:

Make the second drilling towards the geological materials the part extend, wherein it is described second drilling with it is one or more of At least one crack intersection in crack；

The fluid with the first temperature is provided into first drilling in the downhole direction；

It is recycled to the fluid in second drilling by an at least subset in one or more of cracks；

Make the fluid be circulated up above well leave it is described second drilling, wherein the fluid by the way that the fluid is added Heat arrives the second temperature greater than first temperature；And

Electric current is generated using the heat from the fluid with the second temperature.

15. a kind of system comprising:

First conduit is located in the geological materials around drilling, wherein the geological materials are close to first conduit Outer surface and the geological materials have the first temperature；

Second conduit is located in first conduit, wherein limiting between first conduit and second conduit First annular space；

First fluid mobile device is configured to make the fluid with the second temperature less than first temperature via described One of first conduit or first annular space are recycled in the drilling and via first conduit or the annular spaces The other of circulation leave the drilling, wherein the fluid is heated to greatly by the fluid circulation by first annular space In the third temperature of the second temperature；And

Power generator is configured to generate electric current using the heat from the fluid with the third temperature.

16. system as claimed in claim 15, wherein first conduit is spaced apart to limit second with the wall of the drilling Annular space, the system also includes:

Second fluid mobile device is configured to recycle drilled material will be close to described first in second annular space A part of the geological materials of the outer surface of conduit maintains in the threshold temperature of first temperature.

17. system as claimed in claim 16, further include:

At least one isolation element in second annular space is used for the second fluid mobile device to the drilling material The circulation of material is restricted to the region close to the outer surface of first conduit.

18. system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the power generator includes at least one thermoelectric element, described at least one A thermoelectric element has the first side towards first conduit and second side towards first annular space, wherein described first The fluid in one of conduit or first annular space has the second temperature, and first conduit or described The fluid in the other of first annular space has the third temperature to cause at least one described thermoelectric element to generate The electric current.

19. system as claimed in claim 18, further include:

Electronic frame associated with first conduit, wherein the electronic frame contains at least one described thermoelectric element simultaneously And it is configured to conduct the electric current towards the surface of the drilling.

20. system as claimed in claim 19, further include:

One or more power conditioning components, it is associated with the electronic frame and electric at least one described thermoelectric element Communication, with one or more of power, frequency, phase, amperage or the voltage for modifying the electric current.